panhunger

I may be repeating myself, but I think the project is a good idea. You cannot expect Thais to change quickly and perhaps never. However, they are taking small steps that one day may make a difference. The EPs are one example. The Nonthaburi project is at the very least, flooding the province with English speakers. That can only help.

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keegan

define english speaker. define english speakers on 25k, qualified, and not living in nonthaburi. define the logic of emailing all people with a resume on a website. and tell me how this can help english as a whole in los. may the lord be smiling on you on this auspicious day. he is on me. i getted me email.

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champagne charlie

There appears to be some strange Thai wisdom going on here.
The defacto rule is that a herd of unqualified native speakers is better than nothing. They may make noises about qualification crackdowns, but the tacit understanding is that they will tolerate fakes and wanna-be's because they can't afford anything better.

Now they've come to the late realization that perhaps it's just as good to saturate the place with non-native speakers, who more often than not come with qualifications.

But they've decided to wildly overpay them?

Umbuku

Saw my ex teacher, Phillipino friend last night at a birthday party. He's happy on his increased salary. I know that a lot of other non-native speakers at my school are following this project closely. Several have approached me with the loyalty issue. i.e. "Would you understand if I left for a better paying job?"

Checked out the MoE main site.
http://www.moe.go.th/English/index.shtml

There is a link off the front page.
http://www.moe.go.th/icpmoe/Twolanguage_School/

Looks to me like this has been established as policy. The course structure is half way between what used to be the EFL program in Thai public schools and a bilingual program school. Wouldn't take them much retooling later to change it into a full bilingual education system.
It will take many more years to realise that though.

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kenkannif

^ That's been there for over two years mate

Different ting I think (we discussed it on Dave's and some people on that list had never been contacted). Some of the people on the list left Thailand ages ago.

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Umbuku

Apologies then.
I've been trying to find any info about the project from official government sites and thought that was it.
I should add that my Phillipino friend was pretty closed mouthed over the project. I think participants have been told to keep it quiet for now. Probably covering their butts in case it does come down like a house of cards.

__________________
The free man thinks about nothing so little as death; his mind is focused upon life, not upon death. I always feel a bit sad when I see someone who thinks that the purpose of life is something other than living.

PeaceBlondie

Can you just see a thousand BURMESE teachers of English being given one-year visas, work permits, salaries of 30K, etc., to teach better English than the native Thai Thai Loves Thai Thai Rahk Rock teachers?

Rumpole

As the other Nonthaburi thread has been accidently deleted, I'm bumping this one so that the discussion can be continued here.

Added after 54 seconds:

The hotseat interview made passing reference to the JET programme in Japan. I remain unconvinced that the Thai education establishment has the necessary determination, foresight and capability to establish, and more importantly sustain, anything as reasonably successful as the Japanese JET or Hong Kong NET schemes. Both these programmes required a great deal of commitment in terms of medium-term planning, financial investment in human resources, and ongoing management expertise. Could even the most avowed Thaiphile put his hand on his heart and state with conviction that these are attributes for which the Thai education system is particularly celebrated?

It seems to me that the Nonthaburi Project has been established as a knee-jerk reaction to the recent announcement of how badly Thais perform in regional league tables of international examination results. Admittedly it has been a little more successful than some of the other bizarre schemes mooted by the incumbent administration, in that at least they do appear to have some semblance of a “project” up and running. My prediction, however, is that the usual incompetence, xenophobia and exploitation will ultimately prevail and the “Nonthaburi Project” will be quickly consigned to the dustbin of Thai educational history.

mrsquirrel

As I said before

Would you want to be part of the biggest EFL failure in Thailands history.

It could happen.

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banjo

Hear hear!!

CrudeDirk

I heard today, from official sources, that Ramk. will be taking over from Chula when the first group finish their contract in February. Ramk. will offer new contracts starting from May to all teachers whose school wants them to return. If the school doesn't want them back then they will be assessed by Ramk. to see if they are suitable for another contract.
So that's good news for the Chula group, it gives them more stability for the future and I spose even our nutty unofficial interviewee will get another shot at converting the masses to the sickness that is Christianity.

I probably shouldn't of put in those last 2 lines but I'm feeling agitated because I didn't get to read the end of the other thread and anyway Christians stick there heads up so why shouldn't they be shot off!?

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ajarn farang

Why fear failure?

There is a difference between naivety and determination. If it fails, we try again or we give up and move on.

Of course there are doubts. Could the project fail? Is it a blag? Is it beyond them? If you keep thinking that way then it's sure to fail. If everybody does the best they can it has a greater chance of success. One person can't do it on their own so a project like this needs positive people who want to contribute and will not quit.

I don't mean apologists who play stooge for the Thais and in turn are rewarded: arse-lickers won't do the trick. But it matters little 'what' you know, unless you are prepared to do things in a certain way. Nothing wrong with constructive criticism but there is more than one way of going about things.

Why when the Thais appear to be showing a bit of leadership does everyone seem to be willing them to fail. If it is a blag and all about divvying up public cash or what have you then it's their loss not ours. I for one won't be blaming myself.

kenkannif

Common sense I think mate. Like seeing a bloke flapping his arms on top of a high rise....yeah it would be nice if he could fly....but it ain't going to happen

__________________


Riddle me this brother can you handle it
Your style to my style you can't hold a candle to it
Equinox symmetry and the balance is right
Smokin' and drinkin' on a Tuesday night
It's not how you play the game it's how you win it
I cheat and steal and sin and I'm a cynic

ajarn farang

I'll answer your questions but what I want from you in return are suggestions. We don't need attacks against Thailand, whether merited or otherwise. OK? Think you can manage that.

:chug: